Where AFAR Staffers Are Going On Their Next Trips

Here at AFAR, it’s rare that we come back from a trip not dreaming about the next one. Here are a few places that AFAR staffers are headed on their next adventure—places you might want to consider, too.

Tofino, BC, Canada

“We featured Tofino in the March/April ’15 issue of AFAR and the combination of ocean, mountain forests, surfing, and nature, all wrapped with a stay at the Wickaninnish Inn, caught my attention in a big “Let’s do this, Canada!” kind of way.” —Joe Diaz, Co-Founder

“I’m going to Tofino next weekend. I saw it in the March/April issue of AFAR and said to myself, ‘I have to go there!’ Staying at the Wickaninnish Inn, eating at the Wolf in the Fog, drinking some BC wine, kayaking, relaxing…”—Greg Sullivan, CEO/Co-Founder

Victoria, BC, Canada

“We’re headed North on a family road trip in December to Victoria Island. The Butchart Gardens have an awesome Christmas event that we’ll bring the kids to, and we’ll explore the rest of the area outside the normal tourist season.” —Kevin Favro, Senior Manager Mobile Engineering and Product

Vietnam and Thailand

“A college friend of mine is getting married in Thailand in December, so a gang of us are heading to Bangkok to celebrate his wedding. Before that, my boyfriend and I will be having a six-day adventure in Ho Chi Minh City full of Vespa rides, cooking classes, and lots and lots of eating.” —Danielle Walsh, Associate Editor

South Korea

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“Our next big trip is to South Korea for Spring Break 2016. My wife and I are always looking to go to places we’ve never been, and she’s built up a ton of frequent flier miles through her job. She looked for destinations that had frequent flier tickets available—and preferably a direct flight from SF—where we could feel like we’d get something out of a weeklong trip. When she saw that Seoul was an option, our first reaction was, why not? Then she talked to a friend who had traveled there with a kid, which we’ll also be doing, and found it quite kid-friendly, so that was another bonus. Neither of us know very much about Korea, so we’re reading up on it now and trying to figure out our itinerary. I’m hoping it will involve, at some point, bird watching and a baseball game.” —Jeremy Saum, Executive Editor

Elizabeth Schupbach

Nepal

“I’m going to Nepal next. Although I was born and raised in Asia and traveled a lot growing up, Nepal was my first real adult travel experience. The trip ended up shifting my perspective on how impactful and eye-opening travel could be. I am going back this month with Intrepid Travel to support the country’s slowly recovering tourism industry following the devastating earthquake last April.” —Jennifer Flowers, Deputy Editor

“Nepal. I have never been; and what better time to visit than now, when the country needs tourists to help spur the economy after the earthquake? I plan to hike and volunteer, and then spread the word when I get home in the hope that others will follow my lead.” —Jen Murphy, Hotels Editor

Portland, Oregon

“I’m heading to Portland for a weekend! It’s a great destination for a quick and easy weekend getaway from San Francisco. I’m excited to experience a bit of fall in the Pacific Northwest, hike through the Colombia River Gorge, and sample plenty of local brews.” —Samantha Juda, Audience Marketing Specialist

Andi Fisher

Bucket-List US Road Trips

“I have a wedding in Palos Verdes, California, and then another wedding seven days later in Big Sky, Montana. So, instead of flying back to NYC in between, we decided to make a road trip out of it and drive from one wedding to another. It’s an opportunity to see ‘bucket-list worthy’ sights along the way and try new adventures in places we have never been to. Here’s the itinerary: The Grand Canyon, a Ghost Town called Oatman, Antelope Canyon, Zion, Park City, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky, Montana for the wedding, and finally, Bozeman, MT. Basically, a simple road trip with no expectations.”—Kate Hornsby, Luxury Sales Director

“The country of Georgia for a stipend trip. I’ve never been and the mountains, hiking, wine, and people are supposed to add up to a ‘next great destination.'” —Lou LaGrange, Business Development Director: Content Licensing

Tokyo, Japan

“Tokyo, Japan is my next trip. I’ve always wanted to go to Tokyo because of the culture and the food! I love Japanese food.” – Yue Weng Mak, Rails Developer

Chile

“I’ll be going to Chile’s Atacama Desert at the end of September and I can’t wait to photograph the Milky Way at night!” —Michaela Trimble, Brand Manager

“I’m headed to the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina in November. I’m practically running there to stay in a yurt in the wilderness of Torres del Paine National Park so that I can wake up to sunrise on those crazy peaks. I’m looking forward to the remoteness so that I can unplug after a busy fall and reflect before the holidays. And, of course, to challenge myself with treks in that famous terrain.” —Juliette San Fillipo, Associate Marketing Manager

Maggie Langeness

Costa Rica

“10 days in Costa Rica! I picked it because a) neither my significant other nor I have been to Central America, b) I found super affordable tickets using the excellent Hopper app, and c) the Caribbean side stays sunny even during the rainy season, which is when we’re traveling. Rainforest and sloths, here we come.” —Aislyn Greene, Associate Editor

Colombia

“Colombia. I’ve never been and my passport is hungry for another South American adventure.” —Barry Brown, Executive Director/Sales

Madrid, Spain

“I’m headed to Madrid, with a day in Toledo, for Thanksgiving. It’s actually a city I know well, having lived and worked there for a year, but my husband has never been and I’m looking forward to showing him some favorite places (The Prado and Chocolateria San Gines for churros) and attractions that are new since my last visit (the renovated Mercado de San Miguel).” —John Newton, Senior Editor, Branded Content